Civilization: The West and the Rest

The rise to global predominance of Western civilization is the single most important historical phenomenon of the past five hundred years. All over the world, an astonishing proportion of people now work for Western-style companies, study at Western-style universities, vote for Western-style governments, take Western medicines, wear Western clothes, and even work Western hours. Yet six hundred years ago the petty kingdoms of Western Europe seemed unlikely to achieve much more than perpetual internecine warfare. It was Ming China or Ottoman Turkey that had the look of world civilizations.

The Pity of War: Explaining World War One

In The Pity of War, Niall Ferguson makes a simple and provocative argument: that the human atrocity known as the Great War was entirely England's fault. Britain, according to Ferguson, entered into war based on nave assumptions of German aims-and England's entry into the war transformed a Continental conflict into a world war, which they then badly mishandled, necessitating American involvement.

Kissinger: Volume I: 1923-1968: The Idealist

No American statesman has been as revered and as reviled as Henry Kissinger. Once hailed as "Super-K" - the "indispensable man" whose advice has been sought by every president from Kennedy to Obama - he has also been hounded by conspiracy theorists, scouring his every "telcon" for evidence of Machiavellian malfeasance. Yet as Niall Ferguson shows in this magisterial biography, the idea of Kissinger as the ruthless arch-realist is based on a profound misunderstanding.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome

This is the first volume in a bold new series that tells the stories of all peoples, connecting historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China, while still giving weight to the characteristics of each country. Susan Wise Bauer provides both sweeping scope and vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history. This narrative history employs the methods of "history from beneath" - literature, epic traditions, private letters, and accounts - to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled.

Meditations

One of the most significant books ever written by a head of State, the Meditations are a collection of philosophical thoughts by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180 ce). Covering issues such as duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength in adversity and the best way to approach life and death, the Meditations have inspired thinkers, poets and politicians since their first publication more than 500 years ago. Today, the book stands as one of the great guides and companions - a cornerstone of Western thought.

The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World

Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.

Mark says:"Tantalizing time trip"

Publisher's Summary

The world at the beginning of the 20th century seemed, for most of its inhabitants, stable and relatively benign. Globalizing, booming economies married to technological breakthroughs seemed to promise a better world for most people. Instead, the 20th century proved to be overwhelmingly the most violent, frightening and brutalized in history with fanatical, often genocidal warfare engulfing most societies between the outbreak of the First World War and the end of the Cold War. What went wrong? How did we do this to ourselves? The War of the World comes up with compelling, fascinating answers. It is Niall Ferguson's masterpiece.

Though abridged, the book manages to make a reasonably convincing case as to why the 20th Century was so bloody. Ferguson's theory is essentially this: hatred (of others) is an integral part of being human; so when peoples of different ethnicities living in close proximity experience economic instability, and when established order (or Empire) is in decline, the killing urge rears its ugly head waiting to be set free in the name of a war.

The World Wars, including the Cold War, are old subjects. However, Ferguson's writing throws out fresh perspectives, which alone will compensate for your valuable time.

This book just goes to show how quickly people can turn into killers. After reading this, you will know that genocide and mass murder is in the future and will be carried out by Islam. Islam is already carrying out murder almost every day in Europe.

I loved this and find myself repeat listening often.
Puts the events of the last century into perspective.
Find out what your grand father actually fought for, and what our children may face in the future.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Thomas

Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom

2/6/09

Overall

"Rethink history"

This changed my perception of the history of the last century. I had had a conventional British Good Guys (apart from the opium wars and that was before my time) versus the Bad Guys (everyone else at different periods of time). By the end, I realised that, apart from the great dictators, we were all much the same in our intentions and morality. I suppose tha, from black-and-white I now see everything in different shades of grey. The style gripped me from the start - this is how history should be taught. I did feel that more could have been said on almost everything but I think this may have been an effect of the abridgement (who does decide that a book would be better abridged?). The reading was competent and clear but slightly too fast and would have benefited from a little more dramatic emphasis.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mark

Enfield, United Kingdom

1/15/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"bleak"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would never recommend this book to anyone who was not the biggest optimist

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

genocide is never enjoyable

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no a daily portion on the way to work was enough

Any additional comments?

If I didnt know there was goodness in the world I would not be able to listen to this bleak menu of suffering. I need to listen to something fun to get me back on track. this is the first time I have had a book that I had to turn off because it was just to stressful. it is relentless.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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